3 & OUT REPORT: UGA vs. Auburn
During game week the staff at Dawg News Daily previews the matchup between the Bulldogs and their opponent. We focus in on 3 key position matchups or players that we believe will be the difference makers in Saturdays game.
ATHENS, GA- Georgia and Auburn renew "The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry" this weekend as. No. 1 Georgia travels to take on Auburn. The Bulldogs have won six in a row and that includes two in a row on The Plains. The Tigers are in their first season under new head coach Hugh Freeze. A coach that has a history of being a thorn in Kirby Smart's side (Ole Miss 2016 and Ole Miss/Bama days). This will be the Dawgs first trip away from Athens this season. Jordan-Hare can prove to be one of the loudest venues in the SEC and it will be interesting to see how the younger Dawgs react on the road.
DAWG NEWS DAILY'S 3 & OUT REPORT:
1) UGA RUN DEFENSE:
Auburn is only averaging 173 passing yards this season. That is against the likes of UMASS, Cal, Samford, and Texas A&M. To say they are struggling passing the ball is an understatement. Last week, Auburn had just 114 total yards at the start of the fourth quarter against Texas A&M. The Aggies also accounted for 15 tackles for loss.
That's not Georgia’s game plan. UGA’s front is going to build a wall at the line of scrimmage to limit the run game. The Tigers are averaging just under 200 yards a game on the ground while the Bulldogs are holding opponents to a lowly 87 yards per game. Minus the TFL against the Aggies, Auburn got close to 175 yards. I think Kirby, Schumann, and Muschamp clamp down on run game and force Auburn QB's to pass
2) DAIJUAN EDWARDS
Edwards seems to be back and most importantly healthy! His 1st game back this season against South Carolina, Edwards accrued for 118 yards on the ground and last week against UAB had 66 yards on 12 carries with 2 Touchdowns.
Auburn is one of just three SEC teams allowing over 4 yards per carry on the ground. It ranks No. 12 in the league. Auburn ranks 11th in the SEC in number of runs allowed of 10 or more yards and It ranks No. 12 in runs of 20 or more yards allowed and it’s last in the SEC in runs of 30 or more yards surrendered.
The UGA ground game is trending up of late. Since Daijun Edwards returned to action the Bulldogs have amassed of 190 and 188 yards on the ground. Kirby isn't going to have a first year starter (BECK) have the entire offense on his shoulders. Expect a heavy dose of Edwards and company until Auburn can prove the previous run defense performances this season were a fluke. We don't think they are. expect a big game from Edwards.
3) Rara and Lovett
Georgia added a pair of transfer wideouts this offseason and both came from the SEC. Rara Thomas j from Mississippi State and Dominick Lovett from Missouri. Both players and big games against the Auburn Tigers last season.
Last season, Lovett caught five passes for 102 yards and Thomas hauled in six passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Just so happens both Thomas and Lovett are among Georgia’s top four receivers this season and both are trending up.
Lovett has caught a combined 10 passes in the past two games and is coming off a three-catch, 59-yard performance against UAB. Thomas took a little longer to grasp the offense but is now averaging over 20 yards per grab this season. While the focus will be the ground game for the Dawgs, expect them to take some shots down field with these two.
DAWG NEWS DAILY FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:
Dawgs Win, 27-10
Beck with 252 yards passing
Edwards with 90 yards on the ground